Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) qualified for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 playoffs in their debut season but some of their players were left underused. While Evin Lewis did not get many chances and his batting position in the second qualifier baffled many, there was one overseas batter who did not get to make his IPL debut. West Indies opener Kyle Mayers warmed the benches entire season. Now, Mayers has smashed a match-winning 120 for the Nicholas Pooran-led side.
Mayers did not get a chance to in the first game of the three-ODI series against Netherlands. He batted in the middle-order in the second ODI but managed to score 22 runs. In the third and final ODI, West Indies decided to experiment having taken an unassailable lead in the series. The move worked as he registered his maiden ODI century (only second in List A (50-over) format.
After winning the toss, Pooran decided to bat first at VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen. Opening the innings, he shared a 58-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope. After Hope’s wicket in the 12th over, he stitched a big partnership with Shamarh Brooks. The southpaw reached his half-century from 52 deliveries in the 19th over.
He started the accelerated after the halfway stage by taking on Vivian Kingma. In the 38th over, he reached his maiden ODI century from 98 deliveries. After breaching the three figures, Mayers took on Pieter Seelaar and Kingma. However, Ryan Klein ended his innings in the 41st over just when Mayers were looking to take the ultra-aggressive approach.
He He scored 120 runs from 106 deliveries including eight fours and seven sixes. Mayers and Brooks shared a 184-run partnership for the second wicket. Later on, Brooks went on to score his century as well and help West Indies post 308/5. In reply, Netherlands put up a fight but got all out for 288 in the last over of their innings. West Indies won the match by 20 runs.
Earlier, the 29-year-old was picked by LSG for his base price of Rs 50 lakh. With too many options in LSG side, Mayers could not get his debut cap for the KL Rahul-led side.
